01-16554. Vessel Documentation: Lease-Financing for Vessels Engaged in the Coastwise Trade

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION:

Extension of comment period.

SUMMARY:

In response to public requests, the Coast Guard is extending the comment period on its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on Vessel Documentation: Lease-Financing for Vessels Engaged in the Coastwise Trade. Extending the comment period gives the public more time to submit comments and recommendations on the issues raised in our NPRM. These proposed rules address statutory amendments eliminating certain barriers to seeking foreign financing by lease for U.S.-flag vessels. These proposals would clarify the information needed to determine the eligibility of a vessel financed in this manner for a coastwise endorsement.

DATES:

Comments on the NPRM must reach the Coast Guard on or before September 4, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

To make sure your comments and related material are not entered more than once in the docket, please submit them by only one of the following means:

(1) By mail to the Docket Management Facility (USCG-2001-8825), U.S. Department of Transportation, room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001.

(2) By delivery to room PL-401 on the Plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.

(3) By fax to the Docket Management Facility at 202-493-2251.

(4) Electronically through the Web Site for the Docket Management System at http://dms.dot.gov.

You must also mail comments on collection of information to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, ATTN: Desk Officer, U.S. Coast Guard.

The Docket Management Facility maintains the public docket for the rulemaking. Comments will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or copying at room PL-401, located on the Plaza Level of the Nassif Building at the same address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may electronically access the public docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For questions on viewing, or submitting material to, the docket, call Dorothy Beard, Chief, Dockets, Department of Transportation, telephone [phone]. For information on the NPRM provisions contact Patricia Williams, Deputy Director, National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC), Coast Guard, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

The Coast Guard encourages you to submit written data, views, or arguments. If you submit comments, you should include your name and address, identify the NPRM [USCG-2001-8825; published in the Federal Register on May 2, 2001 (66 FR 21902)] and the specific section or question in the document to which your comments apply, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit one copy of all comments and attachments in an unbound format, no larger than 81/2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing to the DOT Docket Management Facility at the address under ADDRESSES. If you want us to acknowledge receiving your comments, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope.

The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the comment period. It may change the proposed rules in view of the comments.

Dated: June 26, 2001.

Joseph J. Angelo,

Acting Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and Environmental Protection.